Portable storage device: Are there any portable digital storage devices that have CF express or XQD card slots to allow downloading of images directly to the storage device instead of...

RahulKhosla

Are there any portable digital storage devices that have CF express or XQD card slots to allow downloading of images directly to the storage device instead of routing through a laptop ? I would like to avoid taking a laptop because of weight restrictions on African Safaris.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

You can use a portable ssd and with appropriate cabling drive a card reader using your smartphone. It is a tiny bit awkward but saves a lot of space and weight.

iamimdoc

Look at

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-774475-1.html

Issue was reviewed a few mo the ago

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

The best option might be to just buy more CF/XQD cards. I’m stuck at SD cards and 24 Megapixels raw. But I cringe at the thought of reformatting a card in the bush without seeing on a screen that the images were safely tucked away. The shot of a lifetime from the trip of a lifetime might be worth the cost of more cards when compared to the cost of aforementioned trip.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Jack 13088 wrote:

The best option might be to just buy more CF/XQD cards. I’m stuck at SD cards and 24 Megapixels raw. But I cringe at the thought of reformatting a card in the bush without seeing on a screen that the images were safely tucked away. The shot of a lifetime from the trip of a lifetime might be worth the cost of more cards when compared to the cost of aforementioned trip.

+1
A portable storage device would be better used as field backup than your only copy.

SD cards are easy to get, easy to carry, and probably cheap.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Yes! Nexto DI video storage doc. I just got this from B&H, who had to help me find it. You don’t need a computer. You turn it on, insert the card, the machine downloads the images, you remove the card and voila you’re done. It is pricey at more than $600. It comes in a 1T and a 4T for another hundred or so. I got the 1T and am using it in Africa to download my memory cards to back them up and then transfer them when I get home. I had been looking for such a device for years but didn’t know what to call it.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

On my trip to Africa, I only used SD Cards. I brought more than enough for the trip and after dinner each night I chimped very quickly to delete those that were obviously not worth keeping. Started a new card each morning with yesterday's card safely stored. No computer, no card reader. I know that doesn't answer your question, but it is a good, fast, safe, inexpensive way to keep your photos until you get back home.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

RahulKhosla wrote:

Are there any portable digital storage devices that have CF express or XQD card slots to allow downloading of images directly to the storage device instead of routing through a laptop ? I would like to avoid taking a laptop because of weight restrictions on African Safaris.

My husband & I have been on many trips where weight & space restrictions make my life difficult when it comes to backing up in the field. If your camera has 2 slots, and if your budget allows, my suggestion would be to purchase extra cards. Simply use both slots with the second one set as "back-up" rather than "overflow". When the cards are full, replace with a second set. Keep one of each of the duplicate cards in a separate location from the other. I use this system, and 1 card goes in my money belt which stays on my body, and the second one is kept in my husband's money belt. When I travelled alone to Africa last year, one card went into my money belt, and the second went into my carry-on camera backpack.

Alphabravo2020

RahulKhosla wrote:

Are there any portable digital storage devices that have CF express or XQD card slots to allow downloading of images directly to the storage device instead of routing through a laptop ? I would like to avoid taking a laptop because of weight restrictions on African Safaris.

No storage solution weighs less than an extra XQD card.

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

I always go on important trips with a card for every day. A will travel with the smallest laptop I have now surface 7 just to get the photos onto an external drive so I have 2 copies of photos at the end of each day

RahulKhosla

That sounds terrific. Does it read CFExpress Type B cards ?

Alphabravo2020

Most Nikons have 2 slots. Set for mirroring shots. That's the lightest solution.

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

MadMikeOne wrote:

My husband & I have been on many trips where w... (show quote)

If your camera has two slots and you willing to buy pairs of memory cards this is a perfect solution to creating a redundant backup. The CF Express cards are more expensive than SD cards but with the benefit of greater speed. You can compute how many cards you would need and the cost.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

SxS(pro/pro+/-1), CFast(1.1&2.0], SD(SDHC/SDXC with uhs support) according to the manual.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I use a file hub (this one) and either a big thumb drive or ssd or both to store the backup.
https://www.amazon.com/NewQ-Filehub-AC750-Travel-Router/dp/B09T9QKQH7